Mercedes’ George Russell beat Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to win the thrilling Chinese Grand Prix sprint.
Russell started from pole position after securing a front row spot with teammate Kimi Antonelli, but Ferrari once again got off to a great start, with Hamilton darting forward from fourth on the grid and taking the lead late in the first lap.
Hamilton had a thrilling battle with Russell during the opening laps as the lead changed hands several times, but in the end he was completely overtaken by Mercedes and then by teammate Leclerc.
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Lewis Hamilton takes the lead after a thrilling start to the Chinese Grand Prix sprint.
Russell opened up a nearly five-second lead but was forced to defend it again as the leaders all stopped to change tires and a late safety car set up a thrilling three-lap race to the finish.
Russell won last weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix, extending his lead at the top of the drivers’ championship to 10 points over Antonelli, who could only finish fifth.
Antonelli’s woes were compounded by a poor start, as was his second place on the grid in Melbourne, when he collided with Red Bull’s Izak Hajjar late in the first lap, resulting in a 10-second time penalty.
Antonelli showed incredible pace for his Mercedes and clawed his way back up to second place on the track, but he fell back again after serving a time penalty when stopped under the safety car.
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Charles Leclerc was furious with Lewis Hamilton when their Ferraris nearly collided during a sprint at the Chinese Grand Prix.
He finished among the McLarens, with reigning world champion Lando Norris unable to hold off Hamilton, who had gained a place during a pit stop that forced Ferraris to double-stack their cars, taking fourth place.
Oscar Piastri was sixth with Liam Lawson scoring two points for Racing Bulls in seventh place and Oliver Bearman scoring the final point for Haas.
Max Verstappen had another tough experience at Red Bull, dropping several places at the start before fighting back to finish outside the points in ninth place.
More to come.
Sky Sports F1 China GP Schedule
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A look back at the wildest moments captured on camera at the Chinese Grand Prix
Saturday, March 14th
5:30am: F1 Academy Race 1*
6:30am: Chinese GP qualifying build-up*
7am: Chinese GP Qualifying*
9am: Ted’s Qualification Notebook*
Sunday March 15th
2:35am: F1 Academy Race 2*
5:30am: Preparation for Chinese Grand Prix: Grand Prix Sunday*
7am: Chinese Grand Prix*
9am: Chinese GP reaction: Checkered flag*
10am: Ted’s Notes*
*Also held at Sky Sports Main Event
F1 will host the first sprint weekend of the 2026 season in Shanghai with the Chinese Grand Prix, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract
